Piano or organ bench.



W. G. F. BEALE.

PIANO 0R ORGAN BENCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1913.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

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Wbtneooeo THE NORRIS PETERS CO" PHOfD-LITH U WASHINGYON D. L.

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VJILLIAM o. F. BEALE, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

PIANO on. oiaoran BENCH.

Application filed June 13, 1913.

To. all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM C. F. BEALE, citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Piano or Organ Benches, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such. as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the'accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in piano or organ benches, shown in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the following specification and claims. v

The object of my invention is to provide a piano bench with a longitudinally sliding seat whereby the player may readily move to a convenient position to manipulate the keyioard, thereby ox ercoming the objection to the use .of the ordinary bench by which the player is compelled, in order to manipulate the keys at the extreme ends of the keyboard, to place the hands in a cramped or otherwise uncomfortable position.

A further object is to provide for moving the top Within prescribed limits, by means which are noiseless inoperation.

A further advantage consists in relieving the strain upon the jointed framework of the bench resulting from inclining the body to reach keys at the extreme ends of the keyboard, thereby increasing the life of the bench.

Other advantages and improvements will hereafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification:Figure 1 is a side elevation of a piano bench embodying my invention, with parts broken away to show a portion of the ball bearing and the ball spacer in position, indicating in dotted lines the top of the bench movedto the right. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the top on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, showing the means employed to secure the seat to the frame. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the device for securing the seat to the frame. Fig. 4 is a'plan view of the ball spacer. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of an enlarged fragmentary portion of the seat and frame showing the means employed to return the seat to its initial position when released by the occupant.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Get. 27, 1914.

Serial No. 773,442.

Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings :A indicates .a supportin frame in which may be mounted drawers B to house music or other. articles.

C is a seat having longitudinal. members C formed with a substantially V-shaped channel C in which is set a metallic strip or track plate D, supported in kerfs formed in the longitudinal strips.

A are longitudinal members of the frame A which are also formed with. substantially V-shaped channels A and which are in opposing relation to the channels C hen the seat is mounted upon the frame.

E is a metallic strip or track plate set in the groove of the longitudinal member A which co -acting with the strips D, form the raceway for the balls F.

G is a ball spacer consisting of a relatively thin metallic strip provided with. a series of apertures G spaced apart, in which are lodged the several. sets of balls supporting the seat. It may be provided with a finger g, adapted to project between the members A and C to indicate the position of the spacer and balls with respect to the seat and for the purpose of readjusting the same should it become displaced in shipment. The outer edge of the longitudinal strips C are provided with a recess 0, into which projects the tongue a of the longitudinal members A.

H denotes a retaining plate pierced at h for the passage of a screw by which it is engaged to the longitudinal member A. It is also provided with a sharpened stud h to prevent the plate turning upon the screw as a pivot. The upper end of the plate is formed with an inwardly turned edge 7& projecting into a recess formed on the inner face of the strip A. A series of these plates are secured at spaced intervals throughout the length of the bench,the

object being to secure the seat to the frame while permitting of a longitudinal movement of the seat. It will be noted that the plates H are spaced apart upon opposite sides of the fingers g to limit the movement of the sliding ball retainer G and to prevent its displacement from the bench.

l, I, are tubular members closed at one end, in which are housed springs J, J, each of which are connected with the member K having a depending portion is secured to the longitudinal member A of the frame. The tubes are provided with a longitudinal slot 6 on the underside, to admit the depending portion is of the member K, as one or the other spring is compressed upon shifting the seat in opposite directions;it being obvious that the tension of the springs Will serve to return the seatWhen released-to its initial position.

L is a suitable latch secured to the frame adapted to engage a cooperating member attached to the sliding seat, by which the seat may be locked in a fixed relation to the frame when desired.

Having indicated the several parts by reference letters, the construction and operation of the device Will be readily understood.

hen the performer desires to manipulate the keys at either end of the keyboard, the seat be readily adjusted so that the hands may occupy a position directly in front of the keys to be actuated, thus avoiding the cramped position frequently. found necessary When using the fixed type of seat.

It Will be apparent that it is desirable to provide a relatively short seat frame and a maximum degree of seat movement :in the construction shown the balls travel approximately seven inches along the seat frame While the seat has a movement of fourteen inches, Withthe respective points of contact between the balls and track strips being diametrically opposite to each other.

A noiseless operation of the seat is secured by the employment of longitudinal Wooden strips in 'WlllCll are lodged the metallic track plates to receive the Wear caused by the operation of the ba1ls,-it being found that the Wood forms a cushion for the track plate and effectually muffles any noise incident to the operation of the ball bearing.

In place of the series of devices H to secure the seat to the supporting frame, other suitable connecting devices may be employed if desired.

It Will be obvious that in place of the Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

of, a ball retainer disposed in one of said grooves and movable therein, a series of balls'engaged by said ball retainer and located in the grooves of said sliding members, I a finger projecting from one edge of the sliding ball retainer, means forpreventing the displacement of said sliding'members,

said means being arranged in the path of the finger for limiting the movement of said ball retainer. 7

2. In a b'enchsueh as described, a pair of sliding members arranged one upon the other, said sliding members being provided with confronting grooves formed in the adj acent sides thereof, said grooves opening through the ends of said-members, a ball retainer disposed in the groove of one of said members and movablebetween said members,a series of ball bearings mounted loosely in said ball retainer and located in the confronting grooves, a series of plates attached to one of said sliding members and engaging the other of the sliding members for preventing displaoement of said members, and a finger formed upon one edge ofthe ball retainer and projecting between said sliding members and beyond the adjacent sides thereof in the path of said plates whereby the movement of said ball retainer between said sliding members will be limited.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of tWo Witnesses.- WVILLIAM C. F. BEALE. lVitnesses: Gnacn E. VVYNKoor, SAMUEL E. THOMAS.

Washington, D. G. 

